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Craig McLachlan drops defamation suit

Former Doctor Blake star drops "utterly overwhelming" suit against ABC, Fairfax Newspapers and actor Christie Whelan Browne.

Actor Craig McLachlan has dropped a defamation suit against ABC, Fairfax Newspapers and actor Christie Whelan Browne.

A trial involving the former Doctor Blake Mysteries star began in court last week after allegations were published by media outlets in 2018. It was expected to run for several more weeks.

Michael Hodge QC, told Justice Carolyn Simpson he had “just been given notice” the case would be dropped.

“We’ve just been given notice that Mr McLachlan is applying for leave to discontinue the proceedings,” Mr Hodge said today.

He said there would be a question about the conditions for this withdrawal, including what costs orders should be made against McLachlan, and whether he would be limited from suing again over the same subject matter.

McLachlan’s barrister Kieran Smark, SC, said he had no issue with an order preventing McLachlan from suing over the same matters. He said the real question was what form the discontinuance would take, and not whether it would happen.

The court resumed at 2pm following an adjournment with the court accepting an application not to proceed.

In a statement today Craig McLachlan said, “Today I have decided to end my defamation case against the ABC and the Sydney Morning Herald the strain that this case has put on me and, more importantly, my family has been utterly overwhelming.

“I cannot continue to place my family under that strain and my own mental health will not withstand the continuing pressure. Ending the case now will finally bring to an end the four years we have endured since the publications were first made as well as avoiding the need for other witnesses to have to endure the cross examination process. Along the way I have been through a criminal trial in which I was acquitted of all charges which were brought against me and I look forward to restoring my health and spending more time with friends and family who have stood by me through this process.

“I will not be making further public statements on this matter.”

Tory Maguire, Executive Editor of The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age said in a statement, “The Sydney Morning Herald and the ABC published their investigation on Craig McLachlan during the height of the #MeToo movement. McLachlan’s claim against one of his victims, Christie Whelan Browne, and the media outlets, utilising Australia’s defamation laws, has had a chilling effect on victims’ willingness to tell their stories about other abusers, and the media’s ability to report on these serious allegations. The victims, the media and the public’s right to know has been damaged by this case, more than any costs order can ever repay. This result today is vindication of both McLachlan’s victims and our public interest journalism.”

Statement by Christie Whelan Browne:

McLachlan was accused of assaulting four female co-stars during a run of the Rocky Horror Show musical in 2014 but cleared in late 2020. He denied all allegations.

Source: news.com.au, The Age

This post updates.